1 00:00:07,540 --> 00:00:08,873 - I'm craig melvin, 2 00:00:08,875 --> 00:00:11,443 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:13,547 --> 00:00:15,547 - I cried the whole time. 4 00:00:15,749 --> 00:00:19,884 I know that a lot of parents lose their kids. 5 00:00:19,886 --> 00:00:22,921 - Why would anybody shoot him? 6 00:00:28,195 --> 00:00:31,429 - That somebody had killed a united states servicemen. 7 00:00:31,432 --> 00:00:33,798 There was blood smeared on different walls 8 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,468 And on a vehicle inside. 9 00:00:36,504 --> 00:00:38,036 - He was a great father. 10 00:00:38,238 --> 00:00:40,505 He was always looking out for you. 11 00:00:40,507 --> 00:00:42,707 - We were kind of thinking that they had, maybe, like, 12 00:00:42,709 --> 00:00:44,242 A loan shark situation. 13 00:00:44,444 --> 00:00:46,278 Like they had borrowed money from someone. 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,214 - We live in a gambling town. Is he a gambler? 15 00:00:49,416 --> 00:00:51,416 - She was the first one to come in 16 00:00:51,485 --> 00:00:53,419 And really explain how it all had happened. 17 00:01:00,694 --> 00:01:01,894 - It was chilling. 18 00:01:01,896 --> 00:01:06,732 Just almost more than you could bear as a human being. 19 00:01:08,235 --> 00:01:09,902 - He served his country 20 00:01:09,904 --> 00:01:12,571 And then was cut down in the prime of his life. 21 00:01:12,773 --> 00:01:14,807 The story needs to be told. 22 00:01:16,343 --> 00:01:24,349 ♪ 23 00:01:24,551 --> 00:01:28,353 - Hello, and welcome to dateline: Secrets uncovered. 24 00:01:28,355 --> 00:01:31,824 Family was everything to nathan paet. 25 00:01:32,026 --> 00:01:33,892 The air force officer worked nights 26 00:01:34,094 --> 00:01:37,095 To support his wife, michelle, and four children. 27 00:01:37,297 --> 00:01:40,032 Then, tragically, he was gunned down 28 00:01:40,234 --> 00:01:42,167 Inside his garage. 29 00:01:42,369 --> 00:01:46,705 There were no obvious suspects until a stunning secret 30 00:01:46,907 --> 00:01:47,906 Came to light, 31 00:01:47,908 --> 00:01:51,843 Pointing investigators to a deadly conspiracy. 32 00:01:51,846 --> 00:01:55,080 Here's keith morrison with part of the plan. 33 00:01:56,549 --> 00:02:05,224 ♪ 34 00:02:05,226 --> 00:02:06,991 - Every bad guy that's ever lived 35 00:02:07,027 --> 00:02:10,061 Is coming through vegas at one point in his career. 36 00:02:10,063 --> 00:02:13,065 - As a homicide detective for the las vegas metro pd 37 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:17,135 In nevada, todd williams saw it all. 38 00:02:17,137 --> 00:02:18,537 - Whether you're a plumber or a policeman, 39 00:02:18,739 --> 00:02:19,738 You want to go where the work is, 40 00:02:19,940 --> 00:02:23,308 And there's lots of good police work here in las vegas. 41 00:02:23,510 --> 00:02:26,077 - That's certainly one way to look at it. 42 00:02:26,279 --> 00:02:28,647 Williams did the work for 30 years, 43 00:02:28,649 --> 00:02:32,517 Never once sharing his cases with the media. 44 00:02:32,519 --> 00:02:35,920 - I've always refused these. - How come? 45 00:02:35,922 --> 00:02:37,689 - I just didn't feel like murder was entertainment 46 00:02:37,891 --> 00:02:39,157 Or should be entertainment. 47 00:02:39,359 --> 00:02:40,459 That's the best way I can describe it. 48 00:02:40,661 --> 00:02:43,461 - Yeah. - So, I've got my reasons 49 00:02:43,463 --> 00:02:45,330 For doing this now. 50 00:02:45,332 --> 00:02:47,599 - Reasons that perhaps will make sense 51 00:02:47,801 --> 00:02:53,271 Once you hear the whole story. 52 00:02:53,273 --> 00:02:55,307 Which began, for todd williams, 53 00:02:55,509 --> 00:02:58,143 On a cold December night in 2010... 54 00:03:00,814 --> 00:03:03,648 In a family home on a quiet street, 55 00:03:03,650 --> 00:03:07,953 13 miles and a world away from the las vegas strip... 56 00:03:11,858 --> 00:03:14,259 Where horror had just come to call. 57 00:03:22,969 --> 00:03:26,871 The woman's husband was nathan paet, 58 00:03:27,073 --> 00:03:28,874 A u.S. Air force airman. 59 00:03:56,570 --> 00:03:59,238 The operator helped the woman perform cpr... 60 00:04:02,943 --> 00:04:06,979 With the couple's four children just a few feet away. 61 00:04:16,857 --> 00:04:19,391 Michelle continued until the paramedics finally arrived 62 00:04:19,593 --> 00:04:22,126 And rushed nathan to the hospital. 63 00:04:22,128 --> 00:04:24,896 They kept him alive, but it wasn't good. 64 00:04:25,098 --> 00:04:27,432 He'd been shot multiple times. 65 00:04:27,634 --> 00:04:30,902 Michelle pulled herself together and called nathan's family, 66 00:04:31,105 --> 00:04:34,506 Who lived thousands of miles away in guam. 67 00:04:34,541 --> 00:04:36,541 Her father in law picked up the phone, 68 00:04:36,743 --> 00:04:40,445 And then he called his wife, nathan's mom, carmelita paet. 69 00:04:41,848 --> 00:04:45,550 - I was just getting ready to get off work. 70 00:04:48,389 --> 00:04:53,324 - I'm sorry. - You know, I was just like... 71 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:54,659 "what?" 72 00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:57,628 And I-- and some of my coworkers, I had to leave. 73 00:04:57,831 --> 00:05:02,100 So on my way home, I managed to call michelle. 74 00:05:02,102 --> 00:05:03,902 She was hysterical. 75 00:05:04,104 --> 00:05:07,171 And I told her, I said, you know, you have to pray that, 76 00:05:07,373 --> 00:05:10,775 You know, he lives through this. 77 00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:13,778 - It was too late for prayers, 78 00:05:13,780 --> 00:05:18,783 By 12:49 am, nathan paet was dead. 79 00:05:18,785 --> 00:05:21,586 He was only 28 years old. 80 00:05:24,291 --> 00:05:25,757 Within the hour, detective williams 81 00:05:25,959 --> 00:05:28,260 And his partner, detective laura andersen, 82 00:05:28,262 --> 00:05:29,628 Were called to this new community 83 00:05:29,630 --> 00:05:32,664 Called mountain's edge. 84 00:05:32,666 --> 00:05:34,466 - It was out in the middle of nowhere. 85 00:05:34,668 --> 00:05:37,235 Very remote location. - Wouldn't expect a lot of 86 00:05:37,237 --> 00:05:40,204 Violent crime there. - Exactly. 87 00:05:40,406 --> 00:05:44,409 It was a quiet suburban neighborhood. 88 00:05:44,478 --> 00:05:47,045 - Not that night. 89 00:05:47,047 --> 00:05:50,215 - When I got there, the garage door was open 90 00:05:50,417 --> 00:05:53,017 And the lights were on in the garage. 91 00:05:53,019 --> 00:05:54,886 And when you walked in the garage, 92 00:05:54,888 --> 00:05:58,489 You could see a large amount of blood 93 00:05:58,558 --> 00:06:01,459 Deep into the garage, around a weight bench, 94 00:06:01,661 --> 00:06:03,295 A bench press. - Mm-hmm. 95 00:06:03,497 --> 00:06:05,864 - There was blood smeared on different walls 96 00:06:05,866 --> 00:06:08,733 And on a vehicle inside. 97 00:06:08,935 --> 00:06:11,503 And a trail of blood that led into the house 98 00:06:11,505 --> 00:06:14,772 And ended at a bloody military uniform, 99 00:06:14,775 --> 00:06:17,509 Left behind on the floor. 100 00:06:17,511 --> 00:06:19,878 - And that struck me, um, 101 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,382 That somebody had killed a united states serviceman. 102 00:06:25,485 --> 00:06:27,852 - The first responding officers filled them in. 103 00:06:28,054 --> 00:06:32,256 Looked like, maybe, a carjacking gone bad, they said. 104 00:06:32,458 --> 00:06:35,359 - Usually information we're given initially, 105 00:06:35,361 --> 00:06:37,195 Most of the time is wrong. 106 00:06:37,397 --> 00:06:39,063 So we take that with a grain of salt. 107 00:06:39,065 --> 00:06:42,033 - Interesting, okay. 108 00:06:42,035 --> 00:06:44,969 Nathan's cell phone and car keys and wallet 109 00:06:45,171 --> 00:06:48,106 Appeared to be untouched. 110 00:06:49,609 --> 00:06:50,942 - Nothing that we could tell was taken. 111 00:06:51,144 --> 00:06:52,243 Nothing from the garage. 112 00:06:52,245 --> 00:06:54,812 The vehicle was obviously not taken. 113 00:06:54,815 --> 00:06:56,714 It felt more deliberate, simply because of 114 00:06:56,716 --> 00:06:58,683 The area we were in, 115 00:06:58,885 --> 00:07:00,985 The time of the night it took place. 116 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:05,556 It just seemed more purposeful than just a carjacking. 117 00:07:05,558 --> 00:07:08,492 - Nathan paet was targeted, must have been. 118 00:07:08,495 --> 00:07:10,394 But by whom? 119 00:07:10,396 --> 00:07:14,032 So detective williams set out to canvass the neighbors. 120 00:07:14,034 --> 00:07:17,536 What did they see or hear? 121 00:07:29,248 --> 00:07:35,587 ♪ 122 00:07:35,789 --> 00:07:37,589 Somebody shot u.S. Air force airman 123 00:07:37,791 --> 00:07:41,092 Nathan paet inside his own garage, 124 00:07:41,094 --> 00:07:43,895 Just feet away from his wife, his children. 125 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:48,700 Neighbors had called it in, 126 00:07:48,902 --> 00:07:51,369 Just seconds after they heard gunfire. 127 00:08:01,347 --> 00:08:03,347 - And specifically they saw the car start, 128 00:08:03,549 --> 00:08:05,149 The lights came on, like most cars do, 129 00:08:05,151 --> 00:08:06,418 Automatically. 130 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:10,088 And then the car lights went off and the car sped away. 131 00:08:10,090 --> 00:08:12,557 So that gave us the impression that's something 132 00:08:12,759 --> 00:08:14,292 We needed to pay attention to. - Yeah, that'd make you 133 00:08:14,327 --> 00:08:17,963 Perk up, all right. - Yes. 134 00:08:20,701 --> 00:08:25,704 - Meanwhile, more than 6000 miles away in guam, 135 00:08:25,906 --> 00:08:30,509 The paet family waited for updates from the mainland. 136 00:08:30,711 --> 00:08:33,912 - So I called the hospital, and they couldn't really 137 00:08:34,114 --> 00:08:36,281 Give me much information at the time. 138 00:08:39,519 --> 00:08:42,086 - By the time, carmelita finally got hold of michelle, 139 00:08:42,288 --> 00:08:44,756 The news was as bad as news could be. 140 00:08:44,958 --> 00:08:48,093 Nathan didn't make it. They couldn't save him. 141 00:08:50,964 --> 00:08:53,832 - My heart didn't break. It was shattered. 142 00:08:56,937 --> 00:08:59,070 - She gave birth to that young man. 143 00:08:59,272 --> 00:09:01,339 She had to know what happened to him. 144 00:09:01,541 --> 00:09:03,241 Had to. 145 00:09:03,443 --> 00:09:06,577 - How did he get shot? Why would anybody shoot him? 146 00:09:06,579 --> 00:09:09,213 We knew that he wasn't involved in drugs. 147 00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:12,283 You know, who would want to actually do something to him 148 00:09:12,286 --> 00:09:14,752 Like that? 149 00:09:14,954 --> 00:09:17,088 - So many questions. 150 00:09:17,290 --> 00:09:19,557 The same questions detectives williams and andersen 151 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,261 Were asking nathan's wife, michelle, in their patrol car 152 00:09:23,263 --> 00:09:25,463 In the hours after nathan was killed. 153 00:09:28,234 --> 00:09:30,402 Michelle told them nathan worked a graveyard shift 154 00:09:30,604 --> 00:09:33,571 At nellis air force base to accommodate michelle's work 155 00:09:33,574 --> 00:09:35,707 And school schedule. 156 00:09:35,742 --> 00:09:38,076 But that day, michelle said she left work early. 157 00:09:38,278 --> 00:09:39,878 She wasn't feeling well, 158 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,480 And they all piled onto the living room couch, 159 00:09:42,682 --> 00:09:44,849 Michelle, nathan and the kids 160 00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:47,818 And fell asleep, until michelle woke up. 161 00:09:48,020 --> 00:09:49,788 It was past 11 pm. 162 00:10:09,109 --> 00:10:11,943 And made his way to the garage to put his boots on 163 00:10:11,945 --> 00:10:13,945 Before getting into his truck. 164 00:10:13,947 --> 00:10:15,813 It was parked in the driveway. 165 00:10:15,815 --> 00:10:17,882 That was his routine. 166 00:10:58,191 --> 00:11:01,525 That is when michelle called 911. 167 00:11:01,727 --> 00:11:04,829 About an hour later, nathan was pronounced dead. 168 00:11:10,603 --> 00:11:14,606 ♪ 169 00:11:30,556 --> 00:11:32,156 Although they didn't see each other much 170 00:11:32,158 --> 00:11:34,292 During the week, said michelle, 171 00:11:34,494 --> 00:11:38,229 They made sure the weekends were spent together as a family. 172 00:11:38,431 --> 00:11:42,566 - I love you. [laughs] 173 00:11:42,568 --> 00:11:44,969 - His digital footprint proved it. 174 00:11:45,172 --> 00:11:47,171 - Here's michelle, she's bedridden now. 175 00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:49,573 - As detectives were finding out. 176 00:11:49,575 --> 00:11:51,643 - She's like, forget this place. 177 00:11:51,845 --> 00:11:53,177 - Does he have any kind of habits? 178 00:11:53,179 --> 00:11:56,447 What are his vices? And the only thing we could find 179 00:11:56,450 --> 00:11:58,516 Was that he was a dedicated family man, 180 00:11:58,518 --> 00:11:59,984 Loved his family, 181 00:11:59,986 --> 00:12:01,485 And there was nothing but pictures of his wife 182 00:12:01,687 --> 00:12:02,620 And kids on his phone. 183 00:12:02,822 --> 00:12:07,358 He was just a good guy. He was just a good man. 184 00:12:10,130 --> 00:12:11,930 - And when detective andersen asked michelle about 185 00:12:12,132 --> 00:12:15,166 Any extramarital affairs, 186 00:12:15,234 --> 00:12:18,770 Nathan had been faithful, she said, and so had she. 187 00:12:19,773 --> 00:12:21,105 In fact, she said, they promised that 188 00:12:21,174 --> 00:12:24,242 If it ever crossed either of their minds, 189 00:12:24,311 --> 00:12:25,710 They'd talk about it first. 190 00:12:41,561 --> 00:12:44,596 She and nathan were high school sweethearts. 191 00:12:44,598 --> 00:12:46,897 They'd been married for eight years. 192 00:12:46,966 --> 00:12:50,902 The only thing she was guilty of was being flirtatious. 193 00:12:56,610 --> 00:12:58,843 Michelle did say that she and nathan 194 00:12:59,045 --> 00:13:01,279 Were struggling financially. 195 00:13:04,350 --> 00:13:08,786 Michelle said she didn't believe nathan owed anyone money. 196 00:13:08,821 --> 00:13:11,989 But some members of nathan's family weren't so sure. 197 00:13:12,191 --> 00:13:14,258 - It was pretty evident, you know, 198 00:13:14,460 --> 00:13:16,994 That they were struggling financially. 199 00:13:17,196 --> 00:13:18,562 - It was appalling. - We looked in the pantry. 200 00:13:18,565 --> 00:13:21,265 We looked in the refrigerator. It was pretty empty. 201 00:13:21,467 --> 00:13:23,601 - There was nothing. There was no food. 202 00:13:41,021 --> 00:13:44,756 - Within hours of hearing her son nathan was dead, 203 00:13:44,758 --> 00:13:48,660 Carmelita and her husband were on the way to the airport. 204 00:13:50,797 --> 00:13:55,399 - We needed to be there to help michelle with the kids, 205 00:13:55,401 --> 00:14:00,671 Because we figured she'd be really, totally out of it. 206 00:14:00,673 --> 00:14:03,775 - And then they sat on that airplane from guam to vegas 207 00:14:03,777 --> 00:14:08,379 Hours and hours and hours, helpless in their grief. 208 00:14:08,581 --> 00:14:12,850 - I cried the whole time. 209 00:14:12,852 --> 00:14:16,654 - How could you not? - Yeah. 210 00:14:16,656 --> 00:14:19,791 I know that a lot of parents lose their kids. 211 00:14:19,793 --> 00:14:23,461 You know, a lot of people have gone through the same pain. 212 00:14:23,663 --> 00:14:25,196 But it's something you don't want to-- 213 00:14:25,198 --> 00:14:29,701 Wouldn't wish, even upon your worst enemy. 214 00:14:29,703 --> 00:14:32,136 - Nathan was carmelita's youngest son, 215 00:14:32,138 --> 00:14:36,474 Her baby boy... 216 00:14:36,476 --> 00:14:38,376 Who everyone adored. 217 00:14:41,981 --> 00:14:43,280 - Peace out. 218 00:14:43,349 --> 00:14:46,851 - He loved to have fun. He loved to joke. 219 00:14:46,853 --> 00:14:49,086 - When nathan's older brother eric got married, 220 00:14:49,288 --> 00:14:53,557 He chose nathan as his best man. 221 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:55,627 - Well, it really wasn't a hard choice. 222 00:14:55,829 --> 00:14:58,596 Um, he and I were really close growing up. 223 00:14:58,798 --> 00:15:00,498 - He made a little speech or something, didn't he? 224 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:02,533 - Oh, yeah. 225 00:15:02,602 --> 00:15:04,302 - I'm really happy for you guys. 226 00:15:04,370 --> 00:15:06,704 I wanna say make each other laugh. 227 00:15:06,906 --> 00:15:07,905 That's about it. 228 00:15:08,107 --> 00:15:11,308 - He definitely wasn't somebody with a lot of words. 229 00:15:11,311 --> 00:15:13,945 So it was-it was a pretty short speech. 230 00:15:14,147 --> 00:15:15,379 - Those are often the best. 231 00:15:15,581 --> 00:15:16,814 - Yeah-- yeah, exactly. 232 00:15:17,017 --> 00:15:19,183 You know, and it was really just about, 233 00:15:19,385 --> 00:15:21,919 You know, uh, celebrating you know, us. 234 00:15:21,922 --> 00:15:24,522 And really, what I really loved about it, too, 235 00:15:24,724 --> 00:15:27,625 Was, you know, he-he truly welcomed veronica, 236 00:15:27,660 --> 00:15:29,593 You know, uh, to the family. 237 00:15:29,795 --> 00:15:32,730 - So, uh, here's to, uh, eric and veronica. 238 00:15:32,732 --> 00:15:34,732 Happy for you guys, love you guys. 239 00:15:34,734 --> 00:15:36,267 Cheers! - Cheers. 240 00:15:36,269 --> 00:15:37,735 - Cheers! 241 00:15:37,737 --> 00:15:39,503 - Something that was ingrained in nathan 242 00:15:39,505 --> 00:15:43,107 As a native guamanian, or chamorro, 243 00:15:43,309 --> 00:15:45,376 Who was born and raised in guam. 244 00:15:45,578 --> 00:15:47,611 - Take it away. 245 00:15:47,813 --> 00:15:49,681 - Where family is everything. 246 00:15:51,817 --> 00:15:53,484 - They just always want to be together. 247 00:15:53,686 --> 00:15:55,152 - I've known veronica for... 248 00:15:55,354 --> 00:15:57,221 - It's amazing and it's beautiful. 249 00:15:57,223 --> 00:15:58,822 And I'm super fortunate to have had that 250 00:15:58,858 --> 00:16:00,324 As a part of my life. 251 00:16:00,326 --> 00:16:01,959 - Okay, they are married now. 252 00:16:01,961 --> 00:16:04,062 - Eric's wife, veronica, felt a connection 253 00:16:04,264 --> 00:16:07,999 With nathan and his wife, michelle, almost right away. 254 00:16:08,201 --> 00:16:09,767 - Hi, baby. 255 00:16:12,572 --> 00:16:14,072 - By then, nathan had joined the military 256 00:16:14,074 --> 00:16:15,807 And moved to the mainland, 257 00:16:16,009 --> 00:16:17,775 Where he and michelle seemed to be thriving 258 00:16:17,777 --> 00:16:19,243 As a couple. 259 00:16:19,245 --> 00:16:21,379 - They actually had a really good balance 260 00:16:21,581 --> 00:16:23,314 Of taking care of each other 261 00:16:23,316 --> 00:16:25,382 And picking up where the other one just couldn't, 262 00:16:25,385 --> 00:16:28,719 Or trying even harder, or providing more. 263 00:16:28,722 --> 00:16:31,789 Whatever it was, like, they-they were good about that. 264 00:16:34,861 --> 00:16:37,929 - In 2007, nathan was assigned to nellis air force base 265 00:16:37,931 --> 00:16:39,463 In las vegas. 266 00:16:39,465 --> 00:16:41,632 There, nathan and michelle and their children 267 00:16:41,835 --> 00:16:44,135 Were finally able to lay down some roots. 268 00:16:45,771 --> 00:16:48,071 - He did make a lot of new friends. 269 00:16:48,074 --> 00:16:50,841 He also was very, um, instrumental 270 00:16:51,043 --> 00:16:53,277 In gathering a lot of the chamorros. 271 00:16:53,479 --> 00:16:56,047 On sundays they would go to this park, 272 00:16:56,249 --> 00:16:58,416 And that ended up being a regular thing, 273 00:16:58,618 --> 00:17:00,417 Where they would get together there, barbecue, 274 00:17:00,420 --> 00:17:02,754 And the kids would play, like, ball, softball. 275 00:17:04,791 --> 00:17:08,759 - And just before he was deployed to iraq in 2009, 276 00:17:08,762 --> 00:17:12,263 Nathan and michelle bought a brand new home 277 00:17:12,465 --> 00:17:14,232 In mountain's edge. 278 00:17:16,002 --> 00:17:18,002 - Nice house? - Oh, yeah. 279 00:17:18,204 --> 00:17:19,137 It was really nice. 280 00:17:19,205 --> 00:17:20,404 - It was a nice upgrade. - Mm-hmm. 281 00:17:20,606 --> 00:17:21,639 - For them for sure. 282 00:17:21,641 --> 00:17:23,574 - It had a nice, uh, large kitchen. 283 00:17:23,776 --> 00:17:26,177 Just, uh, just enough room for, you know, 284 00:17:26,179 --> 00:17:27,812 The family to get together. 285 00:17:30,116 --> 00:17:32,049 - So when nathan returned from deployment, 286 00:17:32,051 --> 00:17:34,585 So many gatherings were in order. 287 00:17:34,587 --> 00:17:36,220 But that first thanksgiving back 288 00:17:36,222 --> 00:17:38,289 Was going to be at eric and veronica's place 289 00:17:38,291 --> 00:17:40,658 In san diego, california, 290 00:17:40,660 --> 00:17:44,328 A drive of more than 300 miles from las vegas. 291 00:17:44,530 --> 00:17:45,596 - You know, nathan called me up 292 00:17:45,598 --> 00:17:47,264 And he said, you know, I'm sorry, 293 00:17:47,466 --> 00:17:50,534 We're not going to be able to come down, um, this time. 294 00:17:50,536 --> 00:17:52,470 Um, we just can't afford it. 295 00:17:52,672 --> 00:17:55,673 And so, we-we didn't like that idea. 296 00:17:55,675 --> 00:17:57,708 So we went up there instead. - Mm-hmm. 297 00:17:57,911 --> 00:18:01,545 - Um, and when we did, it was pretty evident, 298 00:18:01,747 --> 00:18:03,280 You know, that they were, you know, 299 00:18:03,282 --> 00:18:04,882 Struggling financially. 300 00:18:05,084 --> 00:18:06,684 Um, you know, we looked in the pantry. 301 00:18:06,686 --> 00:18:09,020 - It as appalling. - We looked in the refrigerator. 302 00:18:09,222 --> 00:18:10,354 It was pretty empty. 303 00:18:10,356 --> 00:18:12,289 - There was, like, almost no food. 304 00:18:12,291 --> 00:18:16,293 - And things were tense between nathan and michelle. 305 00:18:16,495 --> 00:18:19,697 - You almost felt like they were just tolerating each other. 306 00:18:19,899 --> 00:18:22,165 And every now and then, he and I would step outside 307 00:18:22,168 --> 00:18:24,702 And try to have a conversation, just the two of us. 308 00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:25,836 And she would come out 309 00:18:25,838 --> 00:18:28,706 And kind of try to be in that conversation. 310 00:18:28,708 --> 00:18:30,674 - Didn't want you talking to him alone. 311 00:18:30,676 --> 00:18:33,377 - It absolutely felt like she did not want us 312 00:18:33,579 --> 00:18:36,680 To be, you know, able to speak alone. 313 00:18:36,682 --> 00:18:38,950 - When it was time to leave las vegas, 314 00:18:39,152 --> 00:18:41,385 Nathan made it a point to walk veronica and eric 315 00:18:41,587 --> 00:18:43,854 To their car to say goodbye. 316 00:18:43,857 --> 00:18:46,657 - He watched us drive all the way down the road. 317 00:18:46,859 --> 00:18:48,059 I could see him in the rearview mirror, 318 00:18:48,061 --> 00:18:49,326 Just standing there, 319 00:18:49,328 --> 00:18:53,330 And just knowing he had more to say 320 00:18:53,532 --> 00:18:55,165 And wanted to say something, 321 00:18:55,234 --> 00:18:57,335 But he-he couldn't. 322 00:19:00,539 --> 00:19:01,605 - A few days later, 323 00:19:01,807 --> 00:19:05,476 Nathan paet was dead. 324 00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:07,211 - We went through every possible scenario, yeah. 325 00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:08,446 - So many different scenarios, and, you know-- 326 00:19:08,648 --> 00:19:10,381 - I think the biggest one that we were kind of thinking 327 00:19:10,383 --> 00:19:12,884 Was they have maybe had-- like, a loan shark situation 328 00:19:13,086 --> 00:19:14,452 Had gotten out of control, 329 00:19:14,654 --> 00:19:15,919 Like, they had borrowed money from someone 330 00:19:16,121 --> 00:19:17,288 And it went sideways. 331 00:19:17,490 --> 00:19:18,789 - Certainly plausible. 332 00:19:18,991 --> 00:19:21,425 This was las vegas, after all. 333 00:19:21,494 --> 00:19:23,494 But remember, michelle told the detectives 334 00:19:23,696 --> 00:19:25,062 That money was tight. 335 00:19:28,467 --> 00:19:31,035 - So was it a loan shark? 336 00:19:33,439 --> 00:19:35,606 Or something entirely different? 337 00:19:52,224 --> 00:19:54,258 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 338 00:19:54,460 --> 00:19:55,859 I'm craig melvin. 339 00:19:55,861 --> 00:19:58,329 Nathan's brother eric and his wife, veronica 340 00:19:58,331 --> 00:20:01,265 Got the feeling nathan was struggling financially. 341 00:20:01,467 --> 00:20:03,600 They suspected a shady loan deal 342 00:20:03,603 --> 00:20:05,336 May have led to his death. 343 00:20:05,538 --> 00:20:10,273 But soon, police wondered if nathan's wife, michelle, 344 00:20:10,276 --> 00:20:13,276 Was the one keeping secrets. 345 00:20:13,279 --> 00:20:16,047 Back to keith morrison with "part of the plan". 346 00:20:18,351 --> 00:20:21,051 - It was the end of 2010, 347 00:20:21,253 --> 00:20:25,122 December, the coldest month of the year in las vegas. 348 00:20:25,325 --> 00:20:27,190 Zero resemblance to the island 349 00:20:27,227 --> 00:20:30,428 Where nathan paet grew up riding the waves. 350 00:20:32,932 --> 00:20:34,431 - He loved swimming. 351 00:20:34,433 --> 00:20:38,101 And as he got older, he started into surfing. 352 00:20:38,303 --> 00:20:40,738 So, you know, a lot of times on weekends 353 00:20:40,940 --> 00:20:43,975 Or even during the weekdays, he would, um, 354 00:20:44,177 --> 00:20:46,777 Just go with his friends and the, you know, 355 00:20:46,779 --> 00:20:48,111 Do their surfing. 356 00:20:48,313 --> 00:20:50,381 - Good at it? - He was pretty good, yeah. 357 00:20:51,350 --> 00:20:52,883 - Guam was home. 358 00:20:52,885 --> 00:20:55,318 And carmelita, who'd just landed in vegas 359 00:20:55,321 --> 00:20:57,521 To help michelle with the kids, 360 00:20:57,523 --> 00:20:58,722 Was planning to make arrangements 361 00:20:58,924 --> 00:21:01,258 To bring nathan's body back with her. 362 00:21:01,460 --> 00:21:03,194 - To me, he had to come back to guam. 363 00:21:05,998 --> 00:21:08,732 - Michelle, still barely holding it together, 364 00:21:08,734 --> 00:21:11,535 Met her in-laws at the vegas airport. 365 00:21:11,737 --> 00:21:13,003 - When I got to her, you know, I just-- 366 00:21:13,006 --> 00:21:15,072 I had to be the one to really hug her, 367 00:21:15,074 --> 00:21:17,474 To keep her from falling. 368 00:21:17,509 --> 00:21:19,977 - That very same day, as michelle was falling 369 00:21:19,979 --> 00:21:22,413 Into the arms of her mother-in-law, 370 00:21:22,615 --> 00:21:26,049 Detectives were working a lead michelle herself had given them, 371 00:21:26,052 --> 00:21:27,852 Just hours after the murder. 372 00:21:31,624 --> 00:21:33,791 - I asked her if she knew anybody that had a black car, 373 00:21:33,793 --> 00:21:36,093 Simply because some of the witnesses 374 00:21:36,095 --> 00:21:37,628 Had seen a black car leaving. 375 00:21:45,238 --> 00:21:47,438 - Michael rodriguez. 376 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,174 They worked together at a telemarketing company. 377 00:21:59,151 --> 00:22:01,084 - We went to the business address 378 00:22:01,086 --> 00:22:03,454 That michelle paet said that she worked 379 00:22:03,456 --> 00:22:05,388 With michael rodriguez. 380 00:22:05,391 --> 00:22:07,825 And when we got there, in the parking lot 381 00:22:08,027 --> 00:22:10,127 Was a black cadillac. 382 00:22:10,129 --> 00:22:12,463 - So they waited, watching, 383 00:22:12,465 --> 00:22:14,598 For 4.5 hours. 384 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,801 And finally, a man matching michelle's description 385 00:22:17,803 --> 00:22:19,770 Of michael rodriguez got into the cadillac 386 00:22:19,972 --> 00:22:22,072 And drove away. 387 00:22:22,108 --> 00:22:23,941 So they pulled the car over. 388 00:22:26,946 --> 00:22:30,614 - Then the man who confirmed he worked with michelle 389 00:22:30,616 --> 00:22:32,416 Agreed to come in to the station. 390 00:22:36,321 --> 00:22:39,623 - He admitted straight out he was a convicted felon. 391 00:22:39,625 --> 00:22:41,825 He'd served time for attempted forgery and theft, 392 00:22:42,027 --> 00:22:45,496 But he was working now, and was engaged to be married, 393 00:22:45,498 --> 00:22:48,566 And seeing other women, too. 394 00:22:48,568 --> 00:22:50,468 Lots of women. 395 00:22:50,670 --> 00:22:54,372 And that included his coworker, michelle paet. 396 00:23:12,925 --> 00:23:15,025 - Michael said michelle would complain to him 397 00:23:15,027 --> 00:23:18,061 About not feeling loved in her marriage. 398 00:23:18,063 --> 00:23:20,397 There was also money trouble. 399 00:23:20,399 --> 00:23:22,566 Michelle and michael bonded. 400 00:23:30,176 --> 00:23:32,610 - Detective williams had heard enough to know 401 00:23:32,612 --> 00:23:35,446 He had to find out where michael rodriguez was 402 00:23:35,648 --> 00:23:37,881 The night nathan was killed. 403 00:23:37,917 --> 00:23:41,252 Michael said he was at a walmart, 404 00:23:41,254 --> 00:23:44,855 Looking for love, or something like it. 405 00:23:45,057 --> 00:23:47,124 Which is how he found shannon. 406 00:23:53,065 --> 00:23:54,832 - And one thing led to another, 407 00:23:54,834 --> 00:23:55,966 And they ended up at 408 00:23:55,968 --> 00:23:58,335 The sunset station hotel and casino 409 00:23:58,337 --> 00:23:59,837 Before midnight. 410 00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:07,445 - Michael told the detectives he'd been drinking that night, 411 00:24:07,647 --> 00:24:09,246 Couldn't be exact on his times, 412 00:24:09,281 --> 00:24:12,282 But that shannon would verify his story. 413 00:24:12,284 --> 00:24:15,052 So he gave them her cell number and detectives, 414 00:24:15,254 --> 00:24:18,722 Listening from another room, called shannon. 415 00:24:18,757 --> 00:24:19,957 - She didn't have to think about it. 416 00:24:19,992 --> 00:24:21,225 She knew exactly where she was 417 00:24:21,427 --> 00:24:23,860 And what she was doing when she was with him. 418 00:24:23,896 --> 00:24:27,597 - She backed him up, so then they called the hotel 419 00:24:27,599 --> 00:24:30,267 And discovered michael did check in that night. 420 00:24:30,469 --> 00:24:34,338 But the check in time he'd given them was off. 421 00:24:34,540 --> 00:24:36,173 The detectives didn't confront him about that, 422 00:24:36,241 --> 00:24:37,474 Not yet. 423 00:24:37,477 --> 00:24:41,444 First, they needed to look at the hotel's security video. 424 00:24:41,481 --> 00:24:45,249 But there was something else, maybe important. 425 00:24:45,451 --> 00:24:48,151 Michael said he and michelle 426 00:24:48,353 --> 00:24:50,488 Had been in touch that day. 427 00:25:01,233 --> 00:25:02,499 - By then, detective anderson had 428 00:25:02,701 --> 00:25:05,802 Michelle's saved text messages from that same night. 429 00:25:05,804 --> 00:25:07,004 Michelle had given her permission 430 00:25:07,006 --> 00:25:09,172 To search her cell phone. 431 00:25:09,374 --> 00:25:11,642 But they didn't make a lot of sense. 432 00:25:11,844 --> 00:25:14,577 So maybe michael could explain the text 433 00:25:14,580 --> 00:25:17,548 That he sent michelle at 11:12 p.M. 434 00:25:37,002 --> 00:25:40,271 - At 11:24 p.M., michelle texted michael. 435 00:26:04,630 --> 00:26:06,196 - As a female detective, 436 00:26:06,198 --> 00:26:07,898 You get men that look at you like, 437 00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:09,300 Well, you're just some stupid lady. 438 00:26:09,502 --> 00:26:10,734 Why are you talking to me? - Uh-huh, uh-huh. 439 00:26:10,936 --> 00:26:12,535 - And that was what he started to do to me, 440 00:26:12,537 --> 00:26:14,972 Which really did not sit well with me. 441 00:26:47,206 --> 00:26:50,674 - Detectives didn't believe michael rodriguez, 442 00:26:50,876 --> 00:26:53,344 But they didn't have enough evidence to arrest him. 443 00:26:58,817 --> 00:27:01,085 - It was time to talk to michelle again. 444 00:27:16,834 --> 00:27:18,835 - It was going on a week after nathan paet 445 00:27:18,837 --> 00:27:20,904 Was shot to death in his own garage. 446 00:27:25,110 --> 00:27:28,211 The u.S. Air force held a memorial for nathan. 447 00:27:28,413 --> 00:27:30,814 His brother eric spoke. 448 00:27:30,816 --> 00:27:32,349 - He believed in his family. 449 00:27:32,351 --> 00:27:33,917 He believed in what he could do. 450 00:27:37,789 --> 00:27:41,291 The gathering there was-was beautiful. 451 00:27:41,293 --> 00:27:45,829 And to get to meet the people that not only he worked under, 452 00:27:46,031 --> 00:27:48,465 But that worked for him, 453 00:27:48,667 --> 00:27:50,934 And for them all to kind of feel 454 00:27:51,136 --> 00:27:53,136 The same way that we did about him, 455 00:27:53,338 --> 00:27:54,737 That he was very caring, 456 00:27:54,740 --> 00:27:56,940 He was always looking out for you, 457 00:27:56,942 --> 00:27:58,942 Um, and wanted you to succeed 458 00:27:59,144 --> 00:28:00,877 And do a really good job. 459 00:28:01,079 --> 00:28:03,480 It made us feel even more proud, you know, 460 00:28:03,482 --> 00:28:06,417 That what he was doing, um, in the world 461 00:28:06,619 --> 00:28:08,385 Was-was making a difference. 462 00:28:09,888 --> 00:28:12,756 - Family and friends filled the pews, 463 00:28:12,958 --> 00:28:15,959 But one person, one very significant person, 464 00:28:15,961 --> 00:28:17,427 Was missing. 465 00:28:17,430 --> 00:28:20,097 Michelle paet. 466 00:28:20,299 --> 00:28:22,165 Early in the investigation, detectives had asked 467 00:28:22,167 --> 00:28:24,167 Michelle to take a lie detector test, 468 00:28:24,169 --> 00:28:26,436 But she'd refused, 469 00:28:26,439 --> 00:28:28,505 And told carmelita about it. 470 00:28:28,707 --> 00:28:33,109 - I said, michelle, if you have nothing to hide, 471 00:28:33,112 --> 00:28:35,979 Then you should just go do it now. 472 00:28:36,181 --> 00:28:37,781 Get it over with. 473 00:28:38,851 --> 00:28:40,317 - The morning of nathan's memorial, 474 00:28:40,319 --> 00:28:41,452 Detectives called michelle 475 00:28:41,654 --> 00:28:44,187 And asked her to come in to the station. 476 00:28:44,256 --> 00:28:46,289 At this time, carmelita was there 477 00:28:46,291 --> 00:28:47,925 When the call came, 478 00:28:47,993 --> 00:28:50,728 Made sure michelle had someone to take her to the station. 479 00:28:54,700 --> 00:28:55,966 - And when she got there... 480 00:29:02,207 --> 00:29:04,408 - A story came pouring out. 481 00:29:09,915 --> 00:29:11,248 - That is how she said 482 00:29:11,250 --> 00:29:13,616 Her relationship with michael rodriguez began. 483 00:29:13,818 --> 00:29:18,122 And no, it wasn't as innocent as she'd made it out to be. 484 00:29:35,374 --> 00:29:38,308 - And it wasn't long before they began having sex. 485 00:29:40,545 --> 00:29:42,178 Then one night, said michelle, 486 00:29:42,181 --> 00:29:45,548 She and michael were hanging out in his car, drinking, 487 00:29:45,550 --> 00:29:48,318 And she vented about nathan. 488 00:29:54,826 --> 00:29:58,661 - Then she said, michael seemed to get an idea. 489 00:29:58,663 --> 00:30:01,331 He pointed out to michelle that nathan must have 490 00:30:01,533 --> 00:30:04,134 A military life insurance policy. 491 00:33:11,289 --> 00:33:14,391 - And what a story she would tell. 492 00:33:33,611 --> 00:33:34,811 - Welcome back. 493 00:33:35,013 --> 00:33:38,014 Michelle paet insisted she tried to sabotage 494 00:33:38,016 --> 00:33:40,617 A secret plot to murder her husband, nathan. 495 00:33:40,819 --> 00:33:43,753 But investigators didn't believe her. 496 00:33:43,756 --> 00:33:47,424 They suspected michelle actually helped her lover, 497 00:33:47,626 --> 00:33:49,960 Michael rodriguez, carry out the plan 498 00:33:50,162 --> 00:33:53,630 To collect on nathan's life insurance policy. 499 00:33:53,632 --> 00:33:56,166 Problem was, detectives couldn't prove it, 500 00:33:56,368 --> 00:34:00,537 Until a key player made a stunning confession. 501 00:34:01,706 --> 00:34:03,640 Here's keith morris with the conclusion 502 00:34:03,842 --> 00:34:06,676 Of "part of the plan." 503 00:34:06,678 --> 00:34:07,944 Just go ahead and sit right here. 504 00:34:07,946 --> 00:34:09,279 - Right over here, sweetie. 505 00:34:09,281 --> 00:34:10,580 - Remember shannon? 506 00:34:10,582 --> 00:34:12,181 The young woman michael rodriguez 507 00:34:12,183 --> 00:34:14,717 Hooked up with the night of the murder? 508 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:16,386 She was his willing alibi. 509 00:34:16,388 --> 00:34:19,656 First time detectives talked to her on the phone. 510 00:34:19,858 --> 00:34:21,391 But it wasn't long before shannon realized 511 00:34:21,593 --> 00:34:25,795 She'd been duped and she could not stay quiet. 512 00:34:25,798 --> 00:34:27,063 So she went to the police station 513 00:34:27,265 --> 00:34:28,832 To tell her story. 514 00:34:33,872 --> 00:34:36,773 On Wednesday, December 1st, shannon said she went over 515 00:34:36,975 --> 00:34:39,109 To her friend jessica's apartment. 516 00:34:58,129 --> 00:35:00,897 Meaning michael and the man named corey hawkins, 517 00:35:00,899 --> 00:35:02,532 Jessica's boyfriend. 518 00:35:02,734 --> 00:35:04,634 Shannon was doing drugs that night, so her memory, 519 00:35:04,836 --> 00:35:07,036 She said, was fuzzy. 520 00:35:07,106 --> 00:35:08,404 But at some point in the night, 521 00:35:08,474 --> 00:35:11,341 She remembered jessica starting a fire. 522 00:35:11,343 --> 00:35:13,944 And michael and corey rushing into the apartment. 523 00:35:31,430 --> 00:35:32,829 Shannon left with michael, 524 00:35:33,031 --> 00:35:35,866 Leaving jessica and corey behind in the apartment 525 00:35:36,068 --> 00:35:38,134 With the clothes they'd taken off 526 00:35:38,336 --> 00:35:40,003 Burning in the fireplace. 527 00:35:49,013 --> 00:35:51,481 Shannon said michael made it clear to her that she was 528 00:35:51,483 --> 00:35:54,651 His alibi for whatever he was up to. 529 00:35:54,653 --> 00:35:58,288 Then, she said, they drove to the sunset station hotel 530 00:35:58,490 --> 00:36:00,223 And checked in. 531 00:36:06,831 --> 00:36:08,831 - And they were. 532 00:36:09,033 --> 00:36:11,834 The detectives finally had the security video, 533 00:36:12,036 --> 00:36:14,570 And it showed that shannon and michael arrived 534 00:36:14,606 --> 00:36:16,706 After midnight. 535 00:36:16,742 --> 00:36:19,742 - He, uh, went to great lengths 536 00:36:19,744 --> 00:36:22,913 To establish what he thought was an alibi. 537 00:36:23,115 --> 00:36:27,117 Um, as to time and place, 538 00:36:27,119 --> 00:36:29,719 Where he was, and wouldn't be, 539 00:36:29,721 --> 00:36:32,989 You know, accused of having any involvement in this murder. 540 00:36:32,991 --> 00:36:35,825 - The indication was he had an ironclad alibi 541 00:36:36,028 --> 00:36:37,226 And an indisputable one. 542 00:36:37,228 --> 00:36:39,362 - It clearly was not ironclad. 543 00:36:39,364 --> 00:36:40,329 As we found out, 544 00:36:40,398 --> 00:36:42,232 He had enough time to commit the murder 545 00:36:42,434 --> 00:36:46,002 And to be at sunset station, where he ended up with shannon. 546 00:36:46,204 --> 00:36:49,972 - The next day, shannon got that call from the detective 547 00:36:49,974 --> 00:36:52,842 And said exactly what michael told her to say. 548 00:36:53,044 --> 00:36:56,813 But then the detective said something that made her panic. 549 00:37:02,053 --> 00:37:03,920 After that call, said shannon, 550 00:37:03,922 --> 00:37:05,788 She had to know. 551 00:37:05,990 --> 00:37:08,358 So, she saw michael again. 552 00:37:16,234 --> 00:37:18,835 Michael told shannon his coworker 553 00:37:19,037 --> 00:37:21,670 Was a battered wife. 554 00:37:21,673 --> 00:37:25,108 By michelle's own admission, nathan never laid a hand on her. 555 00:37:43,928 --> 00:37:47,129 Later that night, detectives arrested michael rodriguez, 556 00:37:47,131 --> 00:37:50,466 Along with shannon's friend, jessica austin, 557 00:37:50,668 --> 00:37:53,870 And jessica's boyfriend, corey hawkins. 558 00:37:54,072 --> 00:37:56,539 They arrested michelle a couple of days later 559 00:37:56,741 --> 00:37:59,042 When she was released from the hospital. 560 00:38:08,486 --> 00:38:11,655 The detectives spoke to michelle one more time. 561 00:38:34,713 --> 00:38:36,212 Five years later, 562 00:38:36,214 --> 00:38:38,915 Michael rodriguez went to trial, 563 00:38:38,917 --> 00:38:42,251 And shannon was the star witness. 564 00:38:42,253 --> 00:38:46,189 - He admitted to me that he shot a man. 565 00:38:46,391 --> 00:38:47,690 - Michael did not have the specific-- 566 00:38:47,892 --> 00:38:49,458 - But rodriguez's defense attorney 567 00:38:49,660 --> 00:38:52,094 Told the jury it was corey hawkins 568 00:38:52,097 --> 00:38:53,963 Who killed nathan paet. 569 00:38:54,166 --> 00:38:57,433 - There is no other evidence that the state has presented 570 00:38:57,435 --> 00:38:59,669 That michael was the actual shooter. 571 00:38:59,671 --> 00:39:01,771 - When the jury got the case, 572 00:39:01,973 --> 00:39:03,840 It didn't take long to reach a verdict. 573 00:39:04,042 --> 00:39:07,410 - Guilty of first degree murder with use of a deadly weapon. 574 00:39:07,612 --> 00:39:10,480 - Guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy. 575 00:39:10,682 --> 00:39:12,882 He was sentenced to life 576 00:39:13,084 --> 00:39:16,019 Without the possibility of parole. 577 00:39:17,755 --> 00:39:20,156 - It's my last night in hawaii. 578 00:39:20,358 --> 00:39:22,959 - Next was michelle paet. 579 00:39:23,161 --> 00:39:25,728 At the very last minute, she pleaded guilty 580 00:39:25,730 --> 00:39:29,165 To first degree murder and conspiracy. 581 00:39:30,435 --> 00:39:32,702 The paet family asked the death penalty 582 00:39:32,771 --> 00:39:35,038 Be taken off the table. 583 00:39:36,541 --> 00:39:39,642 - The chamorro culture, it's-- we don't get to play god. 584 00:39:39,644 --> 00:39:40,477 - Right. - Eye for an eye 585 00:39:40,545 --> 00:39:42,511 Wasn't necessarily what we wanted. 586 00:39:42,580 --> 00:39:48,651 I mean, I think for-for her to know that her family 587 00:39:48,653 --> 00:39:50,452 Was going to move on without her, 588 00:39:50,455 --> 00:39:51,788 That her kids were going to grow up 589 00:39:51,990 --> 00:39:54,423 Knowing what had happened, 590 00:39:54,492 --> 00:39:58,461 That was, I guess, more satisfying than-- 591 00:39:58,663 --> 00:40:00,130 Than the death penalty. 592 00:40:02,801 --> 00:40:04,533 - The day she was sentenced, 593 00:40:04,602 --> 00:40:06,469 Michelle addressed the court. 594 00:40:14,879 --> 00:40:18,848 Michelle was sentenced to life without parole. 595 00:40:20,051 --> 00:40:22,685 Corey hawkins received the same sentence 596 00:40:22,887 --> 00:40:25,421 After he pleaded guilty to first degree murder 597 00:40:25,423 --> 00:40:27,490 And conspiracy. 598 00:40:27,692 --> 00:40:29,826 And in exchange for her cooperation, 599 00:40:30,028 --> 00:40:32,895 Jessica austin was offered a deal 600 00:40:32,897 --> 00:40:36,098 As she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of conspiracy. 601 00:40:36,300 --> 00:40:39,035 She was given probation. 602 00:40:41,606 --> 00:40:44,540 - It's the case detectives anderson and williams told us. 603 00:40:44,575 --> 00:40:47,210 They still can't quite get over. 604 00:40:49,714 --> 00:40:51,847 - The find out that his own wife had caused that 605 00:40:51,850 --> 00:40:54,851 Was just almost more than you could bear as a human being. 606 00:40:56,587 --> 00:40:58,588 - It's the reason detective williams decided 607 00:40:58,590 --> 00:41:00,623 To speak with us. 608 00:41:03,395 --> 00:41:06,462 To tell nathan's story exactly how it happened 609 00:41:06,464 --> 00:41:08,931 So that everyone knows the truth, 610 00:41:09,133 --> 00:41:11,901 Especially his children. 611 00:41:13,405 --> 00:41:16,873 [indistinct chatter] 612 00:41:19,210 --> 00:41:22,078 - I would like them to know, as sad as it is, 613 00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:23,679 What their mother did. 614 00:41:23,881 --> 00:41:26,316 It would bother me a great deal if she pretended 615 00:41:26,318 --> 00:41:29,151 To her children or to her family 616 00:41:29,353 --> 00:41:31,287 That she was just an innocent bystander 617 00:41:31,489 --> 00:41:33,689 In all of this, and she was not. 618 00:41:33,891 --> 00:41:39,028 ♪ 619 00:41:39,230 --> 00:41:40,997 - You became parents all over again? 620 00:41:41,199 --> 00:41:42,632 - Yeah. 621 00:41:42,834 --> 00:41:44,234 Yeah. 622 00:41:45,770 --> 00:41:49,105 - Nathan's parents took custody of the children. 623 00:41:50,174 --> 00:41:51,841 Why did you decide to do that? 624 00:41:51,843 --> 00:41:53,810 - I think nate would have wanted it. 625 00:41:54,012 --> 00:41:55,477 You know, he always said he wanted the kids 626 00:41:55,479 --> 00:41:56,779 To be close to us. 627 00:41:56,848 --> 00:41:58,848 And he wanted to raise them in guam. 628 00:41:58,850 --> 00:42:00,984 I just felt like it was the right thing to do. 629 00:42:05,156 --> 00:42:08,190 And every so often, carmelita and the kids 630 00:42:08,192 --> 00:42:11,994 Stop by nathan's grave site on the island. 631 00:42:12,196 --> 00:42:13,529 - They take turns going up and, you know, 632 00:42:13,731 --> 00:42:16,933 To say their prayers and to tell him 633 00:42:17,135 --> 00:42:20,036 What's going on with them. 634 00:42:20,038 --> 00:42:22,938 - And for carmelita, too, 635 00:42:22,941 --> 00:42:25,542 A moment to visit with her son. 636 00:42:27,712 --> 00:42:29,211 Who was back home 637 00:42:29,247 --> 00:42:32,582 On the island he loved so much. 638 00:42:39,157 --> 00:42:40,356 - That's all for this edition 639 00:42:40,558 --> 00:42:42,492 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 640 00:42:42,494 --> 00:42:45,361 I'm craig melvin. Thank you for watching.